Baysail launches campaign to restore Appledore V

BaySail has launched a new campaign using a crowdfunding platform called Patronicity to help fund necessary upgrades for its tall ship Appledore V.

Appledore V is a nearly 27-year-old topsail schooner that has served the Bay City community for the last 16 years.

Since 1997, BaySail has served Bay City and other local communities by offering programs such as environmental education and character-building sail training. The organization also provides public sails and private charters to make the Saginaw River, Saginaw Bay, and the Great Lakes more accessible to the general public. Any profits made from the private charters and public sails help fund the educational programs BaySail has to offer.

During the fall of 2018, the Appledore V began going through some necessary renovations, thanks to the efforts of a few project leaders along with more than 40 volunteers. The team of volunteers working on the vessel consists of individuals skilled in woodworking, plumbing, steel prepping, painting, and similar lines of work.

To help fund the resources needed to complete renovations, BaySail launched a two-month long campaign this month, and ending May 6, with Patronicity. The organization can raise money for causes by receiving donations from individuals that reside in the community or local businesses, otherwise known as "patrons".

It is BaySail's goal to raise $20,000 during the two-month campaign. There are six donor levels available with different incentives offered at each -- ranging from hand-written thank you notes to a private charter for up to 20 people. More information is available at Patronicity.com/appledore.

Volunteers are on track to complete their work in early May, in time for the 2019 sailing season.

For more information about BaySail, contact Shirley Roberts, executive director at 989-895-5193, or via email shirleyr@baysailbaycity.org, or at the organizations website www.baysailbaycity.org.